Resolve MCP Pro is an MCP server that connects AI assistants like Claude and Cursor to DaVinci Resolve. Unlike every other tool, it works on the FREE edition via a small bridge you launch from Resolve's own Scripts menu — no Studio required. Import media, build timelines, drop styled subtitles, jump-cut podcasts, spin up vertical shorts, and queue renders, all from one conversation. 100% local, $15 one-time.
$15 one-time · works on the free edition · 100% localOne prompt → AI imports footage, builds a timeline, styles the subtitles, and queues the render — on the free edition.
AI Assistant <--stdio/MCP--> resolve-mcp-pro <--TCP/JSON-RPC--> DaVinci Resolve (bridge)
A small bridge runs inside Resolve (from the Scripts menu) and speaks JSON-RPC over localhost. No cloud, no uploads, no Studio license required.
Real workflows, driven by a single prompt to your AI assistant.
Install the binary, launch the bridge from Resolve's Scripts menu, point Claude at it. Done.
resolve_status project_currentDrop an SRT/VTT and get styled Text+ titles placed on the timeline at the right timecodes — drop-frame aware.
media_import timeline_create timeline_append_clipsChange font, size, color, and outline across an entire subtitle track in a single call.
subtitle_import_styled subtitle_restyleDetect silences and filler words, then get a non-destructive marker plan you review before cutting.
podcast_edit timeline_add_markerYour Claude reads the transcript and picks the highlights; MCP Pro builds the 9:16 timelines, burns titles, and queues the renders.
shorts_analyze shorts_generatePoint it at a folder; it imports each file, makes a timeline, and queues a render job for everything.
render_add_job render_startResolve's built-in transcription is Studio-only, so on the free edition MCP Pro uses whisper.cpp locally — your audio never leaves the machine.
batch_render_folderList presets, add jobs to a validated media-storage path, start renders, and check the queue status.
render_list_presets render_queue_statusThree steps. No Studio license, no cloud, no Python setup for the binary.
Download the single binary from itch.io and run resolve-mcp-pro --install-bridge. It copies a small bridge script into Resolve's Scripts folder.
In DaVinci Resolve, open Workspace > Scripts > resolve_mcp_bridge. It starts a localhost server inside Resolve. Works on the free edition.
Add resolve-mcp-pro to your AI client's MCP config. Claude, Cursor, or any MCP client now has 78 tools to drive Resolve — in real time.
Low-level control where you need it, finished workflows where it counts.
resolve_status connection & productresolve_edition free / Studio detectresolve_versionresolve_get_page resolve_set_pageproject_list project_currentproject_open project_create project_saveproject_get_setting project_set_settingproject_export project_import .drpproject_export_current_frame stillmedia_import media_list_poolmedia_create_bin media_list_binsmedia_move_clips media_delete_clipsmedia_relink media_replace_clipmedia_set_clip_colormedia_get_metadata media_set_metadatatimeline_create timeline_list timeline_set_currenttimeline_duplicate timeline_create_from_clipstimeline_get_items timeline_append_clipstimeline_add_markertimeline_import_from_file timeline_export AAF/XML/EDL/OTIOtimeline_set_start_timecode timeline_get/set_current_timecodemarker_listmarker_delete_at_framemarker_delete_by_colortrack_list counts / names / statetrack_add track_deletetrack_set_nametrack_set_enable track_set_lockclip_get_properties clip_set_propertiesclip_speed clip_set_enabledclip_set_color clip_clear_colorclip_add_flag clip_clear_flagsclip_get_markers clip_set_cdlrender_list_presets render_save_preset render_delete_presetrender_add_job media-storage validatedrender_start render_queue_status render_clear_queuerender_job_statusrender_get_formats render_get_codecs render_set_format_codecrender_get_resolutionssubtitle_import_styled SRT/VTT → styled Text+subtitle_restyle bulk restyletranscript_native_available Studio detect + whisper fallbacktranscript_create_subtitles (Studio)podcast_edit silence jump-cuts + filler removalshorts_analyze transcript → segment candidatesshorts_generate 9:16 + titles + render jobsbatch_render_folder import a folder → queue every fileNot an API wrapper — a workflow product that happens to work on the free edition.
The only MCP server that drives the FREE DaVinci Resolve. A bridge you launch from Resolve's own Scripts menu — no license tricks, no Studio-only APIs.
Subtitles, podcast jump-cuts, vertical shorts, batch renders — complete jobs, not just thin wrappers around the API.
Everything runs on your machine. No footage uploads, no monthly fee, and no LLM API keys held by the server.
SRT/VTT in, styled Text+ titles placed at the right timecodes — drop-frame aware, with bulk restyle.
Silence detection plus filler-word removal, delivered as a marker plan you review before any cut.
Your Claude picks the highlights from the transcript; MCP Pro builds the 9:16 timelines and render jobs. No API key on our side.
Free-edition transcription via whisper.cpp, with automatic model download and ffmpeg preprocessing.
Token-authed local bridge, render paths validated to avoid Resolve modals, and exactly-once RPC retries so nothing double-executes.
Each of these is a single prompt away.
Parses the SRT/VTT, places a styled Text+ per cue at the correct timecode, and reports any overlaps.
Runs silence detection and (locally) transcribes to find fillers, then lays down keep/cut markers — non-destructive by default.
Returns the transcript for your LLM to choose segments, then builds 9:16 timelines, burns the titles, and queues the renders.
Imports each media file, creates a timeline, and adds a render job — then kicks off the queue.
Competitors shown for reference.
| Feature | Resolve MCP Pro | OSS MCP servers | Opus Clip & co |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free edition | Yes | Studio only | n/a |
| Price | $15 once | free | $15–29 / mo |
| Runs locally | Yes | Yes | Upload required |
| Finished workflows | Subtitles, podcast, shorts, batch | Helpers only | Shorts only |
| Styled subtitles | Styled Text+ | No | Burn-in only |
| Podcast jump-cuts | Silence + filler | No | No |
| Vertical shorts | 9:16 + render queue | No | Yes |
| Batch render | Folder → queue | No | No |
| Keep editing in Resolve | Yes | Yes | No |
| No LLM keys / no upload | No LLM keys | Varies | Cloud LLM |
Everything you need before you buy.
Yes. It's verified end-to-end on Resolve 21 free: media import, timelines, styled subtitles, and the render queue all work through a bridge you launch from Resolve's own Scripts menu. Every other Resolve MCP needs the $295 Studio edition.
Those require Studio and external scripting, and they're thin API wrappers. Resolve MCP Pro works on the free edition and ships finished workflows — styled subtitles, podcast jump-cuts, vertical shorts, batch renders — not just low-level calls.
No. The bridge is a normal script you launch from Resolve's own Scripts menu. It doesn't bypass any licensing and it doesn't call Studio-only APIs on the free edition.
Any MCP client — Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and Cursor are the common ones. You add resolve-mcp-pro to the client's MCP config and it exposes 78 tools.
No. Everything runs locally. The server holds no LLM API keys; subtitle text and transcripts never leave your machine. shorts_analyze hands the transcript to YOUR Claude to choose segments.
Resolve's built-in transcription is Studio-only. On the free edition, Pro features use whisper.cpp locally, so podcast filler removal and shorts analysis work without Studio. Point it at a whisper.cpp binary; models download automatically.
macOS, Windows, and Linux, with DaVinci Resolve 20 or 21 (free or Studio). It's a single binary you download from itch.io.
No. It's a one-time $15 purchase on itch.io with no license keys — buy it, download the binary, run it. Bug-fix updates are free; major-version upgrades are paid.
Yes. On Studio it auto-detects the official external scripting and connects directly; the bridge also works on Studio. You get the same 78 tools either way.
Import media, create and switch timelines, append clips, add markers, place and restyle subtitles, set clip properties and speed, build 9:16 shorts, and manage the render queue — all driven by your prompts.
Under five minutes, no Python required.
Download the binary from itch.io and run:
resolve-mcp-pro --install-bridge
Restart DaVinci Resolve, open a project, then:
Workspace → Scripts → resolve_mcp_bridge
Add this to your MCP client config (Claude Desktop example):
{
"mcpServers": {
"resolve": { "command": "resolve-mcp-pro" }
}
}
Restart your AI client. You now have tools like timeline_create, subtitle_import_styled, and render_add_job — talk to Resolve in plain language.
Pay once on itch.io. No license keys, no tiers, no subscription.